HEARTLAND OK PROGRAM TAKES AIM AT HEART DISEASE

HEARTLAND OK PROGRAM TAKES AIM AT HEART DISEASE
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The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is working in 13 rural counties, including LeFlore County, to work to reduce patients’ risk for heart disease and stroke through care coordination. The counties selected for the program have the highest percentage of adults with a history of coronary heart disease or heart attack.

The project, which brings together healthcare and public health, promotes the ABCS of heart health:• Aspirin as directed by your healthcare professional• Blood pressure control• Cholesterol management• Smoking cessation

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Oklahoma, resulting in 9,000 deaths per year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one in three American adults has high blood pressure and is at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. However, only about half of those individuals with HBP have it under control.

Individuals 18-85 years old are eligible for inclusion into the Heartland OK project. They must be referred to the local county health department by their primary care provider and meet one of the following criteria:

• Newly diagnosed with hypertension and been placed on a diuretic and/or anti-hypertensive medication as a result of a medical visit to a primary care provider or a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)• Previously documented diagnosis of hypertension currently medically uncontrolled• Social determinants that increase the risk of non-adherence with medical recommendations for the control of hypertension (exclusions would include acute mental health or substance abuse issues/diagnoses)

A coordinated care team and healthcare providers in each participating county will provide participants with free blood pressure checks, track participants blood pressure readings and work with pharmacists to help patients follow medication plans.

The Heartland OK Process is based upon collaboration between the treating clinician and the local health department to maximize benefits to hypertensive patients through a partnership with locally available medical care systems.

For more information about the Heartland OK project, contact the LeFlore County Health Department at 918-647-8601.